Cougars net historical league win

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 16, 2011 1:49 PM

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Susan Randolph's brow furrowed as she glanced at the scorecards draped on the tennis nets at Herman Park on a sunsplashed, warm Thursday afternoon.

Goldsboro trailed county rival Rosewood on three singles courts.

"I was really concerned," said Randolph.

Those worries soon faded.

The Cougars refocused their attention and pulled out a 6-3 victory in Carolina 1-A Conference play. It was their first-ever triumph in five tries over the Eagles since joining the league two years ago.

"They really battled back, said they had to get it done," said Randolph.

Goldsboro (2-1 overall, 2-1 CC) clinched the overall outcome with five singles points. Top-seeded Elisa Briggs and third-seeded Cassidy Morris each prevailed in three sets. Second-seeded Jessica Calvert, Hunter Houtzer and Davis Houtzer each picked up a straight-set win.

The third-seeded tandem of Randa Boykin-Casey Hoggard completed the Cougars' historic win with an 8-2 decision.

"I was real proud of them to come off the bench to take that match," said Randolph.

Rebecca Sass, a returning starter, earned Rosewood's lone singles point. The No. 1 doubles of Abigale Godwin-Brook Bell and No. 2 tandem of Elise McSwain-Sass each claimed a win. McSwain-Sass nipped Morris-Hunter Houtzer in a tiebreaker.